The District of Columbia SGI-USA Culture Center officially opened on Wednesday 25 June 2008. SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda cut the ribbon at about 6pm. He was joined in the ribbon cutting by Mid-Atlantic Zone Leader Kathy Geisler, Congressman Hank Johnson, Eastern Territory Leader Tariq Hassan and SGI-USA General Director Danny Nagashima.
A 2 part Opening Celebration followed the ribbon cutting: welcome by Kathy Geisler, reading of President Ikeda's message by Tami Frazier, presentation of awards from the District of Columbia, proclamation from Congresswoman Hilda Solis, letter from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, Commonwealth of Virginia, City of Norfolk. This was followed by acknowledgement of the design and construction of the Culture Center, words by Danny Nagashima. The New Century chorus performed. Part 1 ended with a video of President Ikeda's visits to Washington DC.
Part 2 led off with gongyo led by VP Ikeda followed by words by Mr. Hassan and presentation of awards. In his final guidance VP Ikeda emphasized the importance of Washington DC to the entire world. Every country is watching us, he said. He encouraged us to be excellent representatives of SGI.
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